Liverpool FC Latest: Lazio Could Sell The Playmaker For An ‘Indecent’ Offer

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Liverpool FC are chasing Serie A player Anderson Hernandes de Carvalho Viana Lima, simply ‘Hernanes’, and have been told that they would need to make a big offer to land the Brazilian in the window.

Serie A club Lazio have told Liverpool that if they make a sizeable bid for star Hernanes, they would be able to acquire the Brazilian and take him to Anfield.

Liverpool certainly need reinforcements as they have a very thin squad which has been even more depleted due to injury and it seems as though Rodgers has turned his attention at the Rome club’s attacking player, after missing out on Mohamed Salah, who ended up going to rivals Chelsea.

Hernanes had been targeted by Kenny Dalglish when the Liverpool legend was managing the team before being axed. It was reported that King Kenny would bid for the Brazilian in the 2012 summer window. However, Dalglish was shown the doors before he could do any such thing. The player’s agent Joseph Lee said that Liverpool were one of the many clubs chasing the player at the time:

“I don’t know if Lazio have spoken to Italian or English clubs, such as Liverpool, but all I can say for certain is that we have not received concrete proposals.”

Liverpool have now revitalized their interest in the Lazio player who boasts of great passing skills, long shooting and smooth touches on the ball and has established himself as one of the leading midfielders in Serie A. The 28 year old can play as central midfield or an attacking midfielder and is often the playmaker.

Hernanes has struck 3 goals and 2 assists in the 17 league games he has played this season and has a host of admirers including Spurs, Manchester United, Arsenal and the most serious of them, Inter Milan.

Lazio coach Edy Reja has insisted that Hernanes would not leave the club in January and commented:

“Hernanes? I can guarantee you he isn’t moving”.

However, Lazio president Claudio Lotito has said on his situation on TMW and has admitted that he would be unhappy to lose the player, but would not say no if a big offer comes his way

“Hernanes has not been put up for sale by Lazio, but if an indecent offer came it would be assessed. His value is recognised at international level – it is not easy to find a player with his qualities.”

Ian Abrahams, a sports journalist, tweeted that Liverpool are looking to add the player in January:

Lazio have urged Liverpool to make a solid offer for Hernanes as the Reds look to buy the Brazilian midfielder before Friday

With ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League, Liverpool know the need of making valuable additions to the squad. The club can’t risk falling back in the competition due to avoidable errors of not doing everything to land a player with proven qualities. But the Reds have to be decisive, efficient and quick this time around and not linger the process. Mohamed Salah’s agent, Sascha Empacher, was quoted as saying:

“It was a long and fair negotiation with Liverpool, but it lasted two-and-a-half months – too long. Both clubs could not agree on terms. When Chelsea contacted Basel, he was happy and took his chance. It was no financial matter.”

Liverpool can’t make the same mistake again. They should do everything in their means to land this quality player who can help the club with the top 4 ambitions. Hernanes will add tremendous quality to the squad and also give a lot of depth to it. Brendan Rodgers has said time and again that he would not add a squad player in January and the Brazilian is not one who is average enough to just warm the benches. Liverpool should go all out to land the player and make the sizeable bid Lazio are talking about. It is rumored that a bid of around €16m would get the Lazio management interested.